The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-16

kindly but curiously, as they entered the
tiny dwelling, and she proceeded to
make her guest comfortable.
''JeunIe Morrison. /
But tears and sObs choked back the
rest OF the sentence. In an hour the
thoughtful, kiHJ-Eearted woman, who
was splnSter living all alone, knew the
whole sad story and declared she should
stay there until some hing could be done
You can keep house until carry the
milk to my customers" she said. brisklv.
eyes, and pII sell the milk for YOU, or
do anything | can. Pm not afraid TO
work." And 50 the poor novel was put
away, and the authoress lost in a milk
maid.
One morning, late in February, as
Messrs. Lorraine q Stcarnc sat in their
private office, an elegant carriage drew
up before the door and the liveried foot
man assisted to the pavement lady,
velvet rolled and ermine wrapped. She
assembled the steps, and in a few seconds
stood in the presence of the two Young
publishers. With quiet dignity she ac-
cepted the protfercd seat, and then threw
back her cloak, displaying costly jewels
at throat, wrists and girde
The footman who accompanied her
carried in his hand a asquare package
Il have brought a book" she said,
m0tioning toward it, (which | wish you
to examine"
"Certainly; shall be happy to do so, :"
smiled Mr.. Lorraine, coming forward
and taking the package from the servants
hand.
FLet me know your opinion at your
earliest. convenience, she said, rising
and dropping dainty card into the re-
ceiver as She turned away.
Mr. Lorraine followed her to the car
riage, and then watched it disappear.
Hey, Charlie, struck2 asked Mr..
Stearuc, as he re-entered
"Struck? Yes, by Jove! if you choose
to call it that. But did you ever see
such vision of lovelinessI"
'NisiOn of dry goods, you mean. Do
yOureally suppose such a creature could
write anything the public would care to
read"
''She is beautiful, rich, ana no doubt
talented" declared Charlie, eagerly scan
ming the white enamcIed and gold card
she had left. "AIiss Dollie Williams, POS
Park street. Dollie Williams; not highly
romantic, Charlie, and you dote on
names, you know"
The gentlemen addressed looked lit
tie crestfalIen, but he tore open the man
uscript
''We'H see what it is like" he said,
for want an excuse for calling at No.
208 at my earliest convenience
Mr.. Steame said nothing. He knew
his partner to be a superficial observer,
although he prided himself on his dis
Ctrnucut, but both were SURPRISED
they perused the work 1t was not prac-
tical and sadly needed revision, but the
web of fancy was exquisite, showing that
the young authoress possessed no COM
mon talent.
'FWe must make her an offer of some
kind, " declared Charlie, "though | sup
pose what we do will seem bcggarly."
Then perhaps we had better do moth
ing" said Mr.. Stcarne, who could not
reconcile the over-dressed fashionable
lady with the evidence of intellect and
careful training displayed in her work
Then | shall make her an individual
offer one of these days, which hope she
will not have the heart to refuse"
''Well. Wen drive out to No. 208
this afternoon. Let Us settle this busi-
ness first, and then your individual offer
will be in order.
No. 208. Could it be that mean-Iook-
ing dwelling, the single door of which
was surrounded by COWS, while milk
maid was busily plying her task2
Mr.. LOrraine's face was study as they
drove up to the door.
There some mistake, " said he, and
his companion could only smile broadly
- I-oo,, FrD,,, !a,,CI,;p,r
eve are looking for Miss Dollie Will
Jams, " said Mr.. Sterne, politely, to the
middle-agcd woman who answered their
knock.
II am Miss Dollie Williams, sir" an
swered she, briskly. ''Walk in, gentle
men.
"Really, madam, you must be mis-
TAKEN, said Mr.. Lorraine, aghast.
'Mistakenl Don't | know my own
name, hey! You are printers, Stearne
& Lorraine, aren't you"
"Well, yes, but"
'Its all right, then. Didn't expect you
to call. Thought you would write, but
no harm done. l hope"
At this moment the milkmaid entered,
bearing in each hand foam-capped pail.
She looked startled and confused, first at
one then the other, then. placing her
milk-pails on the floor, size faced them
detiantly. The vivid scarlet in her checks
and lips, and the proud light in her dark
ewes, gave her beauty no establishment
could brighten.
q did not mean you to see me thus, "
she said, candidly, "but perhaps it is
just as we'll"
:'Yes, perhaps" said Mr.. Lorraine,
with an assumption of dignity. " But
how came you to appear as you did at
our office ?"
Cannot the jackdaw pin on the pea
cocks feathers!" she retOrted, haughtily.
You. sir, have been kind enough to
show me how vast is the difference be-
tween the two birds. Had | obtained a
hearing in my own character | would
never have dreamed of assuming that Of
another-did not dream of doing so, un-
til the lady herself suggested it, and in
sisted on placing everything at my dis
posal to try the experiment. She has
kindly interested herself in me-is one
of our best milk customers-isn't she,
Dollie 2"
Mr.. Lorraine sat in helpless silence,
while his partner in business negotiated
with the young authoress, congratulating
her on her unquestionable talent as
writer.
Both Young men were silent during
the drive homeward, though from differ
ent emotions. For the image of the
Young girl, as he had imagined her, was
shattered in the shallow heart OF Charles
Lorraine by the same master stroke that
had now enshrined it forever IN the